Mechanical Analysis of Bio Nanocomposite Prepared from Luffa cylindrica

Luffa cylindrica (LC), a tropical vegetal product, consists of highly vascular system. It has been modified by calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate separately to produce composites of Ca-salts. The modified form of LC has been reinforced with novolac resin at 30 degrees C to provide cross linked polymer composites. The composites have been further sonicated at 40 degrees C for 1 h to produce bio nano composites. The final yield is more than 80% of the raw materials used. The physical and chemical analysis of the composites have been done. Incorporation of resin in to the inner fiber surface of LC which is rich in cellulose is confirmed from ultra-violet spectroscopy (UV), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. Thermal studies of the composites done in an inert atmosphere reveals that the composites decompose within a temperature range of 250 - 550 degrees C. The tensile parameters such as maximum stress, Young's modulus and yield strength were measured. The compressive and flexural strength of the LC fiber- reinforced composites were also studied by varying the weight of fiber in the resin. (c) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd.